Oldies On Tour

Position @1200 UTC

32⁰ 22.73 N 64⁰ 40.80 W

St. Georges, Bermuda

Up reasonably early as we had to do the last of the provisioning, so off I todled to the local rip off supermarket, well that’s a little unfair, they are all VERY expensive. Filled two carts a little over $500 but at least they delivered to the boat. This saved us a lot of effort.

Andrew got into the generator and found a wire that was loose and had burnt out, so a new terminal was fitted and away she went. Ran it fo some time and it did not faulter I qam pleased tosay.

Late after no0onb was busy for me asSkipper. First we had the Skippers briefing, Chris accompanied me to that one. This was followed by clearing out with customs aqnd imigration and lastly I had to present passports and sign a declaration about who was on board for trip. hen all this was completed I stayed atthe dingy club ( where the ARC Rally control was situated) and waited for the rest of my crew to arrive. There wqs a farewell Bar B Q, so a good timewas had by all

Back to0 the boat for about 2230minimal to drink as we have the big day tomorrow. The start by the way is going to be in the lagoon immediatly followed by “Town Cut” the narrow channelout to the sea. 27 of us converging into a narrow space, should make for some interesting pictures!

Position @1200 UTC

32⁰ 22.73 N 64⁰ 40.80 W

St. Georges, Bermuda

To day was the day. Andrew & I set about the head in the master en suite. I had bought a length whilst in Hamilton so into the dark and grimey, below wter mark, bilges to replace the discharge pipe. You will recall a few days ago I said it wasn’t working and though this was not an unexpected surprise I was shocked at how quickly behind the other heads, this came.

After a lot of cursing etc we Managed to pull the new pipe through. Like the last time we did it, we atached the old pipe to the new pipe and pulled!! To be fair it came through rather easier han we had thought it might and certainly easier than the the other head, Jeff & I tackled. Good, connected everything up and allwas well.

We both dived into shower, as you can imagine we were to say the least a little smelly!

It was now generator time,started up OK, ran for a about an hour then though the enginewas still running away we didn’t have any power coming onto the boat. All the obvious things were checked but to no avail swo switchede off and decided to look mat it tomorrow as we were out to dinner.

We had arranged to have dinner wih the crew of another yacht, “Kir of Brixham” so met up around 1900 hrs in, what has become our local, the White Horse. Had a super evening then back to the boat. A rather un-eventfull day!

Position @1200 UTC

32⁰ 22.73 N 64⁰ 40.80 W

St. Georger, Bermuda

Lay in for all this morning followed by a day of relaxation, well this morning checking anway.

Chris set about checking battery levels and securing them down whilst Andrew & I set about replacing the discharge pipe from the rear heads. a dirty job but necessary.

A shower followed and then we dingy’ed accross the bay to the yacht club for an evening of Rum Tasting, fish & chip supper and prize giving.

Grainne, our new memberof of crew arrived today so we are now fully manned and ready to go .

A super night was had by all and though we didn’t win any major prizes we did win the “Random Prize”!!

Position @1200 UTC

32⁰ 22.73 N 64⁰ 40.80 W
St. Georger, Bermuda

Woke up to a cup of tea delivered to my bunk by the crew followed by a rendetion of “Happy Birthday” Cards followed and a bottle of “Tio Pepe” was given to me by the crew, wonderfull, especially as I had run out of Sherrry and Sunday was looming,”Wot No Sherry!” What good lads.

I had a call asking me to touch base with ARC Rally Control on channel 77 on VHF. I called in and next thing I heard was Rally Control played over the whole network, “Happy Birthday”

I was then taken out to lunch by Andrew & Chris, very nice and kind of them.. We had to be back to the boat by 1530as we had the crew of “Kir of Brixham” joining us for BBC. Todays BBC was Bond, (naturally) Birthday Cake, we watched Goldfinger. They had bought me a cake and some candles to go with it.

After they had gone, we had a rest befoire we met a crowd at the White Horse, (Our Local). Nick & Lyall also joind us, a great evening followed a great day, thank you all for making my day memorable.

Rolled into bed around mid night and slept well.

On the whole a quiet day on Anam Cara

Position @1200 UTC

32⁰ 22.73 N 64⁰ 40.80 W
St. Georger, Bermuda

Mushroom and Cheese Omlettes for breakfast, thank you Andrew, very nice.

Today we set about a number of jobs that need doing but to complete we need parts so I toddled off to Hamilton, (the capital) by bus as thats where the only two chandleries are on this island. I the all important pipe for the outlet side of the rear head but I couldnd’t get a new handle for the forward cabin hatch.I will change it with one on the rear cabin hatch, that way we can keep out the water. The rear hatch will be protected by the upside dingy that will be mounted on the coach roof.

I then spent about 3 hrs tramping the various streets and industrial estates looking for a new radiator cap, I went up hill and down dale,I must have walked a good 10 miles, stillit ws worth itas must have found the one and only on the Island!

Ferry back to St Georges and then a lift on the back of Lyall’s scooter to the Dingy club where the ARC was having a “do” tonight, “rum twizzlers” and snacks, very nice.

A slow visit to the white horse for a few more Gin & Tonics and back to Anam Cara and bed.

Position @1200 UTC

32⁰ 11.32 N 64⁰ 42.91 W

Distance travelled last 24 hours:- 115 Nautical Miles

Had another very quiet night weather wise, little to no wind so engined all night. None of us went to bed as we were to excited to arrive in Bermuda, especially as we had been seeing the island since daysbreak.

To day is also the morning they are airlifting the crew member off “Whinbrel 11”, the boat is now within Helicopter range from Bermuda. It is amazing how much trouble they authorities have gone to. Bermuda does not have a helicopter so the USA Coast guard had to send one from Florida! but the distance being so great it had to fly to anUSA aircraft carrier to fuel up half way accross. This helicpoter was also shadowed all the way by a fixed wing to ensure it arrived OK. Once “Whindrel 11” was in range the chopter went out. The whole process has to be repeated in reverse to get everything back into place! I hate to think what the bill will be, ouch!

We had to check in with Bermuda radio 5 miles out then again when we got to the safe water mark. My My there are lots of rocks an reefs around but the channels rae well marked.

We crossed the line at 1130 hrs local time on engine, even though the wind had now got up and was trying to blow us back out to sea as we made our way through , what is known locally, as town cut. This is a channel cut troughinto abeautiful lagoon. Bermuda law says there is only one first port of call and that is Customs and Immigration: Once cleared in we were going to anchor but with around, 20 knots of wind whistling straight down the Lagoon, we went and moored alongside the wharf where the cruise liners and freighters moor up; much more comfortable! though a huge wall to scale when the tide is out!

Walked into St Georges to book into the office and pay our dues.

What a pretty place this is, very quaint, very british and colonial will take a lot of pictures.Lat afternoon we went to Rally control for a drink then Andrew and I were in need of fresh meat so went off looking for a Steak, which we duly found and enjoyed! A stroll back down town and into bed for the fist comfortable night for a wek.